Zareh Darakjian Ph.D. Nov 2, 2008:

The time element Thank you, Ahmad for your comment. I realized that the time element in the translation is only in reference to the past. As we know, it may not be always possible to incorporate all desirable features in one answer. This comes very close to the original. That, in itself, is a very good thing. Of course, the Arabic too does not literally mean that nothing like that will come in the future. Only God God knows the future. But yse it is an aspect of "balagha", if I am not mistaken. It would have eben nice to capture it as well, but I think your asnwer comes so very close to transferring the intent of the source expression.

ahmadwadan.com Nov 2, 2008:

ما بعده يدخل ضمن الغيب غير المعلوم وليس بالضرورة الأخذ بحرفية النص بل بالمقصود منه. في النهاية الوزير عايز يقول إن المشروع "غير شكل" بالشامي أو "ما حصلش" بالمصري أو "غير" بالسعودي.